I thought the appended item from my physics listserv would be of interest to
AFWers. An article about the device also appears in today's web version of
Time Magazine.
--
Don Eagle
To reply personally, drop the Latin "not more"

ELECTRONIC WINE TASTING. Scientists in Spain have developed an
"electronic tongue" designed to distinguish a good Pinot Noir from a
cheap Chablis. The "e-tongue" is designed for wine quality control
in the field and is based on tiny synthetic membranes on a silicone
chip. The device, developed at the Barcelona Institute of
Microelectronics, can distinguish between four grape varieties and
its developers are working to extend its ability. Cecilia
Jimenez-Jorquera said the device is similar to the human tongue in
that it is sensitive to five different tastes: sweet, salty, bitter,
acidic and umami (savory). The e-tongue can determine the age and
variety of wine, and eventually might be able to "detect frauds
committed regarding the vintage year of the wine, or the grape
varieties used."

On Aug 15, 12:43*pm, "Donald Eagle" > wrote:
> I thought the appended item from my physics listserv would be of interest to
> AFWers. *An article about the device also appears in today's web version of
> Time Magazine.
> --
> Don Eagle
> To reply personally, drop the Latin "not more"
>
> ELECTRONIC WINE TASTING. Scientists in Spain have developed an
> "electronic tongue" designed to distinguish a good Pinot Noir from a
> cheap Chablis. *The "e-tongue" is designed for wine quality control
> in the field and is based on tiny synthetic membranes on a silicone
> chip. *The device, developed at the Barcelona Institute of
> Microelectronics, can distinguish between four grape varieties and
> its developers are working to extend its ability. *Cecilia
> Jimenez-Jorquera said the device is similar to the human tongue in
> that it is sensitive to five different tastes: sweet, salty, bitter,
> acidic and umami (savory). *The e-tongue can determine the age and
> variety of wine, and eventually might be able to "detect frauds
> committed regarding the vintage year of the wine, or the grape
> varieties used."

An electronic wine taster might be of some interest to gadget geeks.
But I would draw the line at an electronic wine DRINKER!

Dan-O

"Donald Eagle" > wrote in message
acomip...
>I thought the appended item from my physics listserv would be of interest
>to AFWers. An article about the device also appears in today's web version
>of Time Magazine.
> --
> Don Eagle
> To reply personally, drop the Latin "not more"
>
> ELECTRONIC WINE TASTING. Scientists in Spain have developed an
> "electronic tongue" designed to distinguish a good Pinot Noir from a
> cheap Chablis.

The average webcam could be programmed to distinguish Pinot Noir from
Chablis, provided of course the programmers know the difference between red
and white wine!
But then I understood that some scientists in that country were better at
developing energy-enhancing preparations ;o) for the athletes of this
planet... But maybe there just gettin' on a different bike!

Yves


The "e-tongue" is designed for wine quality control
> in the field and is based on tiny synthetic membranes on a silicone
> chip. The device, developed at the Barcelona Institute of
> Microelectronics, can distinguish between four grape varieties and
> its developers are working to extend its ability. Cecilia
> Jimenez-Jorquera said the device is similar to the human tongue in
> that it is sensitive to five different tastes: sweet, salty, bitter,
> acidic and umami (savory). The e-tongue can determine the age and
> variety of wine, and eventually might be able to "detect frauds
> committed regarding the vintage year of the wine, or the grape
> varieties used."
>
>

Donald Eagle wrote:
> I thought the appended item from my physics listserv would be of
> interest to AFWers. An article about the device also appears in today's
> web version of Time Magazine.

Don,
A good friend of mine and casual wine drinker has been developing a
"molecular nose" over the past 5 years or so. It has obvious
applications in the screening for explosives or chemical weapon agents,
but he's also shown its ability to detect TCA and to distinguish various
wines from each other.

Mark Lipton


--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net